More than virtually any other current major struggle, Palestine invokes the dearest, most pressing and vital elements of our shared moment in time. The people know it. So does capitalist-colonialism
I feel privileged to live in a corner of the colonial settler nation of Australia where the government censorship regime you mention isn't QUITE as strong as elsewhere. The authorities have not clamped down on the weekly anti-genocide protest marches through the central business district, even though they disrupt the tram routes for a few hours and result in lots of salary expense for the hundred+ coppers who line the edges of the roiling mob. (They ARE going hammer-and-tongs after a few people who waved some Hezbollah flags -- an officially prohibited "terrorist symbol" -- a few weeks ago)
The spectators along the march route don't seem hostile, though. No glares, only occasional snarls from mentally ill drongos, lots of people (especially the Asian tourists) taking photos of this colourful Australian behaviour. I think that most folks here realise at some level that what Israel is doing is morally wrong, so they do not scorn the noisy inconvenience we cause.
When I see the colours of the Palestinian flag, I think of the adhesive-backed flag stickers that are handed out freely by a local company named Free Palestine Printing. I always grab a handful (and toss them some cash) at the Sunday rallies. Then as I ride my pushbike around town, I whack them onto various objects. It won't save the world (neither will our marching) or even change anyone's mind. But it's a visual reminder that the struggle is still going on. A groundswell has to start somewhere.
It's easy to lose hope in the face of the atrocities. What can any of us do if we're not able to pick up a gun or a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and journey to the Levant to combat the Zionists? But when enough of us get galvanised and keep spreading the awareness of Israel's immorality, we can eventually electrify the world. And if not, then humanity is an evil species of animal which will deserve the "1984" bootheel stomping on our face forever. I'd rather march, shout and spread stickers as my small way of biting at the boot, instead of staying silent and licking its leather in the hope that I'll get a bit of nutrition from it.
This exactly Alon, what powerful words and imagery to highlight the opposing sides of the situation. Thank you.
United in love and truth, we do stand powerful together 🙌 my heart breaks daily at the loss and suffering of these Palestinian souls 💔 from the ashes, they have shown us, they are the light, the dignified people, helping the entire world wake up to break free from the shackles to demand freedom and peace for all.
Alon would be what's called an "accelerationist." You might have heard the word before. It refers to people who think The System is fcuked beyond hope of repair, so they might as well throw some fuel on the fire to make everything burn down faster, and perhaps something better will arise from the ashes. It's a nihilistic viewpoint. I feel that way sometimes, except I realise that a lot of people will die in the fire. I can't claim any moral superiority over the accel way of thinking, though. I'm more of an "avoidanist." I twigged that there was no hope for the U.S. after Bush the Second and realPresident Cheney got reelected. So I fled to a colonial settler outpost at the far end of the Earth so I could watch the world burn from the cheap seats. Still, Alon is more of a playa in The Game than I am, because I don't bother to vote in U.S. elections any more. I'm glad to do it Downundahere though (where voting is mandatory and you get fined if you don't do it.) At least in Oz, there are alternative parties to vote for, and the Big Ones don't fight in court to keep the Small'uns off the ballot paper the way the Dims do in the U.S.
Here is a must read for all you genuine humans out there, not because you don’t know everything Alon is writing about but because you do and it feels so right and so compelling. It’s reassuring to know that we are winning the battle for humanity. Alon, thank you for sustaining us with your loving wisdom.
The way you distill the ’nuance’ and ‘it’s not that simple’ rationalizations of those who perpetrate the genocide, is brilliant! It really is that simple. We all need to re-learn this skill. We all need to hold on and fight for humanity. Thank you for your voice, Alon.
I agree. Palestine is the real deal. And Gazans and Palestinians living in the West Bank (and suffering from deep sadness in the diaspora like my husband) deserve our respect, admiration, and devotion to their cause.
I accept that we are in the midst of collapse. I have been what is called “collapse accepting” for several years. Somehow that makes it easier to go on. As Dougald Hines has said: We are already living in collapse. It’s just unevenly distributed. (Really my friends the stock market doesn’t matter.)
I also love science fiction literature and films. There are so many depictions in sci fi of IDF-type atrocities. Dune comes to mind. We all know who the Israelis are in Dune, for example. And we know who the Palestinians are in Star Trek deep space nine (bajorans) and we know who the Israelis are: the borg. And we know exactly who Zendaya is: (Bisan). And we know who are the real heroes in The Expanse: clue = Asteroids.
potentially hopeful, worth examining further. Thus, questions arise: how is collapse in humanity´s interest? When did it learn something from collapse? Does the overwhelming world situation of impunity imply that it did not? Or is it wise to undermiene institutions? If this is the case, we are not near collapse with Trump.
What does collapse mean in this context? What is its scope? Would a chain of natural disasters from climate change powerful enough to destroy the global system have the same effect as trump in this collapse sense?
Unfortunate that shame is no longer a deterrent to evil conduct. This column ought to shame all of us citizens of the US who do not rise up against our l government's even more shameful participation in this "ecstatic massacre", as you have described it. No more excuses. A moving piece of writing, sir.
"What do the people get about Palestine & won’t relinquish?" Why do elites fail at blinding people? "Palestine invokes the most pressing… elements of our…time. The people know it". So does capitalism
I've seen yesterday that Netanyahu brought with him wounded soldiers to his congress speech (from 3 months ago) and entire house was cheering and clapping. I have never seen a bigger farce in my life. But it is no joke. America's parliament literally looks like a Maccabee fan club. I have to admit it is deeper than I thought. Its as if the crazies are going for broke.
I just hope the people in whose interest it is to *never get it* are defeated before Palestine—and let’s face it, Lebanon and Syria—are all gone. How do you stop a bottomless maw of greed and hate if the power to crush it is fueling that machine of destruction? Who is going to step in with enough ballast to force an end?
Takev the wealthy's money away. Hack their bank and credit accounts. Lock them out. Hack the stock exchanges and shut them down. Hack and shut down payment processing systems. Stop the flow of money, stop the genocide.
Thank you for thought-provoking and hopeful reflection.
Though not convinced they are failing miserably. This depends on what their objective is. The humanity that gets it remains a small percentage of those who do not get it. They are visible because the organise and shout. It means it may take generations till history is really re-written, properly inscribed in the wider collective (as the holocaust is) within the large percentage. On the other hand greed correlates with short term gain aims. Those doing what they do win for the short term which is their aim. The future does not matter, except whether they care at all how history will judge them (which, looking at how openly they manifest their pride that they are lying to the world and getting away with it with impunity, doe not seem to be the case; their calculus does not seem to reach beyond their won life-spans). This means there is work to do, to hasten history, to compress several generations into one. This takes an effort to coordinate the minority masses worldwide. Shall we all desert hypocritical nation states and exile? This would amount to a radically honest modality of divestment. So, it seems 500,000 to 1,000.000 ??? of educated Israelis have already exiled themselves.
I feel privileged to live in a corner of the colonial settler nation of Australia where the government censorship regime you mention isn't QUITE as strong as elsewhere. The authorities have not clamped down on the weekly anti-genocide protest marches through the central business district, even though they disrupt the tram routes for a few hours and result in lots of salary expense for the hundred+ coppers who line the edges of the roiling mob. (They ARE going hammer-and-tongs after a few people who waved some Hezbollah flags -- an officially prohibited "terrorist symbol" -- a few weeks ago)
The spectators along the march route don't seem hostile, though. No glares, only occasional snarls from mentally ill drongos, lots of people (especially the Asian tourists) taking photos of this colourful Australian behaviour. I think that most folks here realise at some level that what Israel is doing is morally wrong, so they do not scorn the noisy inconvenience we cause.
When I see the colours of the Palestinian flag, I think of the adhesive-backed flag stickers that are handed out freely by a local company named Free Palestine Printing. I always grab a handful (and toss them some cash) at the Sunday rallies. Then as I ride my pushbike around town, I whack them onto various objects. It won't save the world (neither will our marching) or even change anyone's mind. But it's a visual reminder that the struggle is still going on. A groundswell has to start somewhere.
It's easy to lose hope in the face of the atrocities. What can any of us do if we're not able to pick up a gun or a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and journey to the Levant to combat the Zionists? But when enough of us get galvanised and keep spreading the awareness of Israel's immorality, we can eventually electrify the world. And if not, then humanity is an evil species of animal which will deserve the "1984" bootheel stomping on our face forever. I'd rather march, shout and spread stickers as my small way of biting at the boot, instead of staying silent and licking its leather in the hope that I'll get a bit of nutrition from it.
This exactly Alon, what powerful words and imagery to highlight the opposing sides of the situation. Thank you.
United in love and truth, we do stand powerful together 🙌 my heart breaks daily at the loss and suffering of these Palestinian souls 💔 from the ashes, they have shown us, they are the light, the dignified people, helping the entire world wake up to break free from the shackles to demand freedom and peace for all.
I hope that my sense of the tide starting to turn isn't just wishful thinking. Thank you Alon for giving us some hope
For me, your best post yet, Alon. Such heart and soul! Sitting here reading this before bed and crying my eyes out.
But you VOTED FOR TRUMP?!?
Alon would be what's called an "accelerationist." You might have heard the word before. It refers to people who think The System is fcuked beyond hope of repair, so they might as well throw some fuel on the fire to make everything burn down faster, and perhaps something better will arise from the ashes. It's a nihilistic viewpoint. I feel that way sometimes, except I realise that a lot of people will die in the fire. I can't claim any moral superiority over the accel way of thinking, though. I'm more of an "avoidanist." I twigged that there was no hope for the U.S. after Bush the Second and realPresident Cheney got reelected. So I fled to a colonial settler outpost at the far end of the Earth so I could watch the world burn from the cheap seats. Still, Alon is more of a playa in The Game than I am, because I don't bother to vote in U.S. elections any more. I'm glad to do it Downundahere though (where voting is mandatory and you get fined if you don't do it.) At least in Oz, there are alternative parties to vote for, and the Big Ones don't fight in court to keep the Small'uns off the ballot paper the way the Dims do in the U.S.
U.S. politicians are 95% corrupt.
Amazing. Truly amazing. Thank you!
You give us all strength . Righteous anger . Your words give courage and resolve . Keep being who you are and don’t hesitate for even one moment .
✊🏽🇯🇴
Here is a must read for all you genuine humans out there, not because you don’t know everything Alon is writing about but because you do and it feels so right and so compelling. It’s reassuring to know that we are winning the battle for humanity. Alon, thank you for sustaining us with your loving wisdom.
The way you distill the ’nuance’ and ‘it’s not that simple’ rationalizations of those who perpetrate the genocide, is brilliant! It really is that simple. We all need to re-learn this skill. We all need to hold on and fight for humanity. Thank you for your voice, Alon.
I agree. Palestine is the real deal. And Gazans and Palestinians living in the West Bank (and suffering from deep sadness in the diaspora like my husband) deserve our respect, admiration, and devotion to their cause.
I accept that we are in the midst of collapse. I have been what is called “collapse accepting” for several years. Somehow that makes it easier to go on. As Dougald Hines has said: We are already living in collapse. It’s just unevenly distributed. (Really my friends the stock market doesn’t matter.)
I also love science fiction literature and films. There are so many depictions in sci fi of IDF-type atrocities. Dune comes to mind. We all know who the Israelis are in Dune, for example. And we know who the Palestinians are in Star Trek deep space nine (bajorans) and we know who the Israelis are: the borg. And we know exactly who Zendaya is: (Bisan). And we know who are the real heroes in The Expanse: clue = Asteroids.
This is a big part of why I thought Trump was the better choice. He's built to precipitate the collapse, which is in humanity's interest
potentially hopeful, worth examining further. Thus, questions arise: how is collapse in humanity´s interest? When did it learn something from collapse? Does the overwhelming world situation of impunity imply that it did not? Or is it wise to undermiene institutions? If this is the case, we are not near collapse with Trump.
What does collapse mean in this context? What is its scope? Would a chain of natural disasters from climate change powerful enough to destroy the global system have the same effect as trump in this collapse sense?
Unless the sinvergüenza dies in office (he’s my age exactly, 78), then we’ll have a real nazi with an ideology in Vance. What then? Scheisse! Pepe
Unfortunate that shame is no longer a deterrent to evil conduct. This column ought to shame all of us citizens of the US who do not rise up against our l government's even more shameful participation in this "ecstatic massacre", as you have described it. No more excuses. A moving piece of writing, sir.
"What do the people get about Palestine & won’t relinquish?" Why do elites fail at blinding people? "Palestine invokes the most pressing… elements of our…time. The people know it". So does capitalism
https://enjoyments.substack.com/p/we-will-all-be-chased-for-the-rest
A masterpiece for the ages. 🙏🙏🙏
I've seen yesterday that Netanyahu brought with him wounded soldiers to his congress speech (from 3 months ago) and entire house was cheering and clapping. I have never seen a bigger farce in my life. But it is no joke. America's parliament literally looks like a Maccabee fan club. I have to admit it is deeper than I thought. Its as if the crazies are going for broke.
I just hope the people in whose interest it is to *never get it* are defeated before Palestine—and let’s face it, Lebanon and Syria—are all gone. How do you stop a bottomless maw of greed and hate if the power to crush it is fueling that machine of destruction? Who is going to step in with enough ballast to force an end?
This has been decades in the making.
Takev the wealthy's money away. Hack their bank and credit accounts. Lock them out. Hack the stock exchanges and shut them down. Hack and shut down payment processing systems. Stop the flow of money, stop the genocide.
Thank you for thought-provoking and hopeful reflection.
Though not convinced they are failing miserably. This depends on what their objective is. The humanity that gets it remains a small percentage of those who do not get it. They are visible because the organise and shout. It means it may take generations till history is really re-written, properly inscribed in the wider collective (as the holocaust is) within the large percentage. On the other hand greed correlates with short term gain aims. Those doing what they do win for the short term which is their aim. The future does not matter, except whether they care at all how history will judge them (which, looking at how openly they manifest their pride that they are lying to the world and getting away with it with impunity, doe not seem to be the case; their calculus does not seem to reach beyond their won life-spans). This means there is work to do, to hasten history, to compress several generations into one. This takes an effort to coordinate the minority masses worldwide. Shall we all desert hypocritical nation states and exile? This would amount to a radically honest modality of divestment. So, it seems 500,000 to 1,000.000 ??? of educated Israelis have already exiled themselves.